Diplomat’s son, 25, who was left hundreds of thousands in Jeffrey Epstein’s will takes his personal life
Edward Juul Rod-Larsen, 25, son of two senior Norwegian diplomats probed over their links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, has died by suicide in Oslo, according to reports
Edward Juul Rod-Larsen (centre) with Toby Stephens (Terje Rod-Larsen), Mona Juul, Lydia Leonard (Mona Juul) and Terje Rod-Larsen(Image: Dan Wooller/Shutterstock)
The son of two high-ranking Norwegian diplomats under investigation for their connections to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has reportedly taken his own life. Edward Juul Rod-Larsen, 25, who inherited $5 million (£3.67 million) from the late convicted paedophile, was discovered deceased in Oslo on Wednesday, according to Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang.
His death occurred just days after police allegedly initiated an inquiry into his parents, diplomat Terje Rod-Larsen and Mona Juul, following the revelation of supposed ties to Epstein in documents released by the US Department of Justice. Rod-Larsen and Juul have not been charged with any misconduct.
Their children have never been implicated in any wrongdoing or subjected to investigation.
According to emails captured by the DOJ, the couple appears to have visited Epstein’s private island, Little Saint James, with their children in 2011. Rod-Larsen seems to express gratitude to Epstein for the invitation, describing the island as “totally unique,” and adding, “We all loved it!” He also wrote: “Mona sends a kiss,” in the email.
A joint investigation by Norwegian and French authorities is now in progress following reports that Epstein bequeathed a total of $10 million to Edward and his twin sister, Emma, in his will, reports the Mirror.
According to documents released by the Department of Justice (DOJ), this is the same amount the paedophile left his accomplice, sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. The family says they have not received any of the $10 million left to their children by Epstein and were only made aware of the will through the media.
A statement released by the couple’s lawyers, Thomas Skjelbred and John Christian Elden, blamed “months of public spotlight” triggered by speculation about their financial ties to Epstein as a contributing factor in Edward’s suicide.
According to Verdens Gang, the couple said: “Months of a public spotlight that has long since ceased to be critical, and has instead become suspicious, speculative and at times limitless.
“A spotlight that has not only affected two parents, but has also drawn their children involuntarily into the relentless machinery of the public,” their statement continued.
“Speculating on connections is both irresponsible and undignified. Suicide is always complex. There is never one explanation, never one cause, never one blame.”
Rod-Larsen worked as Deputy Secretary-General of the UN while Juul was the former State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs when Edward and his sister were born.
Their positions led to the siblings being labelled the ‘Peace Twins’. The pair are renowned for their pivotal involvement in the Oslo Accords – the Israeli-Palestinian peace initiatives of the 1990s – which went on to inspire the Tony Award-winning Broadway production, Oslo.
Juul, who had been serving as Norway’s ambassador to Jordan until recently, stepped down in February following questions over her alleged connections with Epstein. The nation’s foreign ministry launched a probe into Juul’s awareness of and dealings with Epstein.
She informed Norwegian news agency NTB that describing her contact with Epstein as minimal was “imprecise”, though explained the connection arose through her husband’s association with Epstein, insisting she maintained no independent social or professional ties with him.
Rod-Larsen appeared in the Epstein documents brandishing a phone displaying a social media profile of a bikini-clad woman.
